This Wednesday night at 7pm in Salt Lake City I will be interviewing Michael Ferguson and Seth Anderson (at the Utah Pride Center). More details for the event can be found here (which is also where you should RSVP). There are several super cool things about Michael and Seth, including the following: Michael and Seth were the first gay couple ever legally married in Utah. Michael was the plaintiff in Ferguson vs. JONAH, wherein an ex-gay/reparative therapy group called Jews Offering New Approaches for Healing was recently convicted for perpetrating consumer fraud. Michael and Seth both have strong feelings about the…

Kristy Money is impressive on so many levels. She graduated from BYU at age 19, completing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at age 25 (dissertation on LDS suicide) She serves on the Ordain Women board of directors as a co-founder of OW, assembled the famous “6 discussions” for Ordain Women, and is the host of Ordain Women podcast. She has authored three incredibly influential op-eds for the Salt Lake Tribune: LDS Church should make clear Smith was wrong to take 14-year-old wife Think, seminary teachers, before acceding to church essay on Joseph Smith’s polygamy LDS Church should go further to disavow racist priesthood ban She…

On June 25th My Book of Mormon podcast host David Michael came to Salt Lake City to discuss the conclusion of his reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. The event was held at Squatter’s Pub and was so heavily attended that people had to be turned away at the door.

On June 3rd, 2015 Alan Rock Waterman (blogger at Pure Mormonism) was excommunicated from the LDS (Mormon) Church for blogging about his beliefs and differences with LDS Church policies. In this episode Rock and his wife Connie retell the experience of his disciplinary council.

Rock Waterman is a prominent Mormon blogger who maintains belief in all of the fundamental LDS Church truth claims (e.g., God, Jesus, Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon). His beliefs are similar to those of Denver Snuffer, in that he believes that the modern, corporate LDS Church is failing to follow many of the teachings of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, and consequently has strayed from Christ’s and Joseph Smith’s core teachings. In this episode we discuss Rock Waterman’s recent notice that he will be facing an LDS disciplinary council for apostasy on Wednesday evening June 3, 2015 at…

In this episode Marisa and Carson Calderwood discuss their excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 21, 2015 for apostasy. See here for a list of the five handouts Carson shared with his disciplinary council participants. See here for statements from Carson’s witnesses in the disciplinary council. Here is a link discussing how to raise children without religion. Below is the video mentioned by Marisa.

This event, organized by Kate Kelly, was held in New York City on Saturday, April 25th, 6:30pm. Billed as “A Curated Revue of Hilarious Tales from Mormondom,” it entailed a delightful evening of Mormon (and post-Mormon) storytelling and humor. Sean Carter: Harvard Law graduate and professional legal humorist (www.lawhumorist.com). Sean is the author of the first-ever comedic legal treatise – “If It Does Not Fit, Must You Acquit?: Your Humorous Guide to the Law.” His syndicated legal humor column has appeared in general circulation newspapers in more than 30 states. Sean was baptized into the Mormon Church in May, 2011.…

Many LDS Church members are unaware that a secret LDS temple ordinance called the “Second Anointing” is regularly being administered by LDS Church apostles to elite friends, family, and leaders (mostly stake presidents, temple presidents, mission presidents, and LDS general authorities, along with their wives). In this ordinance (according to reports) an apostle washes the feet of the couple in the temple, anoints them on the head with oil such that their “calling and election is made sure” (guaranteeing them a place in the Celestial Kingdom), and then invites the couple to retreat to a room in the temple, wherein the wife washes her…

Micah Nickolaisen has been an important participant in the Mormon Internet for the past three years. His activism began in 2012 as co-founder of both the “A Thoughtful Faith” and the “Exploring Sainthood” podcasts/communities – both of which sought to encourage thoughtful and faithful LDS Church activity/participation. After losing his faith/confidence in the LDS Church in 2013, and in reaction to the Kate Kelly and John Dehlin excommunications in 2014/2015, Micah co-led several projects which sought to bring attention/visibility to problems within in the LDS Church. Micah co-founded the “Strangers in Zion” project, wherein LDS Church members were encouraged to…

On April 15th, 2015 six board members from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities met with over 100 current and former Brigham Young University students to get the most authentic feedback possible regarding religious and academic freedom at BYU — without the administration present. The full audio recording of this meeting can be accessed below (warning: audio quality is sub-optimal). For a recap of the meeting, check out this thread on Reddit, along with this thread. And here is a link to the transcript of the student commentary. At present, if an LDS BYU student loses their religious faith while at BYU,…

Carson Calderwood is an LDS dentist and father of four living in Maple Valley, Washington. He served an LDS mission in Argentina, married his wife, Marisa, in an LDS temple, recently served as an LDS seminary teacher in Maple valley for two years, and served faithfully in the LDS church for almost two decades. After experiencing significant questions and doubts a few years go, Carson realized how many local LDS church members were struggling over matters of faith, and began trying to help local members of his ward and stake find joy and healing amidst their LDS faith crises. After…

In this episode, co-released with Mormon Stories, Wendy Williams Montgomery, John Dehlin, and Dan Wotherspoon speak about the difficult dynamics at play in discussing with loved ones, whether family, friends, or ward members, about differences in faith positions after one party or another has shifted. In contrast with the types of challenges presented to people by “outsiders” to their faith, a change in stance and the new worldview presented by those who were once in sync with you (or at least perceived to be in sync) can be far more devastating. Their shifts often feel very personal, a rejection of something we hold most…

“Faith and Reason, Conscience and Conflict: The Paths of Lowell Bennion, Sterling McMurrin, and Obert Tanner” April 12, 2014 McMurrin Lecture: In her lecture, Flake defines an intellectual as one who loves and is committed to the life of the mind, one for whom thought is both a delight and a necessity, a source as well as means for human flourishing. This does not mean a life without conflicts, as illustrated by three intellectuals – Lowell Bennion, Sterling McMurrin, and Obert Tanner. Flake will consider their intellectual lives in relation to the religious culture from which they came. Doing so will tell…

I obviously cannot know what Peggy Fletcher Stack​’s intentions were in the writing and timing of her recent Salt Lake Tribune article about me entitled “Mormon facing excommunication makes his living off his podcasts.” I will say at the outset that I consider Peggy to be both a longtime hero and a friend of sorts. I was also very grateful for many positive things that Peggy mentioned in her article. Overall I felt like the article was balanced, but I can also imagine how many active, faithful LDS Church members will respond to an article written primarily about my compensation(???)…

As John Dehlin faces a disciplinary council for his work on Mormon Stories, more than two dozen past participants offer their thoughts on what John and the podcast have meant to them and to Mormonism. These reflections include faithful, orthodox Latter-Day Saints and ex-Mormons; famous scholars and private individuals; and social activists and theologians. They reflect the inclusiveness of the Mormon Stories project, past, present, and future — and the many ways lives have been changed and improved by involvement with John’s work. We invite listeners to share their own reflections about the importance of Mormon Stories in the comments…

Popular Mormon podcaster John Dehlin will face a church disciplinary council on Sunday to address allegations of apostasy. On Thursday at 12:15 p.m., Dehlin joined Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about his faith and how he views dissent, doubt and discipline within the LDS Church.

In this hilarious and touching episode of Mormon Stories, John Dehlin interviews Clark Johnson, an original cast member in the hit Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon. In part one, Clark shares his experience as a young gay Mormon coming from a conservative LDS background, his mission to Mexico, and how he and his family came to terms with his decision to leave the church. In part two, Clark recounts the events and his favorite memories leading him to join The Book of Mormon cast; from the dance department at BYU to the Broadway stage. He goes on to share scene by scene and song by song, themes…

In this two-part series we interview the panelists for Infants on Thrones Podcast: Glenn, Matt, Scott, Randy, Bob, Tom, and Jake. These guys do tend to get a bit rowdy (language!)…so listener discretion is advised.

In this episode J. Nelson-Seawright interviews David Michael about his experience creating his new podcast “My Book of Mormon,” wherein David shares his thoughts and witty comments on each chapter of Mormonism’s central book of scripture. With no background in Mormonism, David is reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover for the first time in an attempt to discover why millions of people have come to believe in its writings. As a result, David offers an insightful and entertaining “outsider’s perspective” on the characters, stories, and lessons he encounters. In this episode, the two discuss David’s Christian upbringing, his thoughts on spirituality and…

It appears as though our discussions with stake president Bryan King have abated for the time being, so I wanted to provide a quick update (for those who keep asking). After sending me this initial letter asking that I resign my church membership or face a disciplinary council, my wife Margi and I met with President King and his first counselor for the first time on 6/29/2014 (at our request). President King framed this original meeting as an opportunity for him to listen, and so we spent most of our time together with me sharing my beliefs, doubts, and concerns about the church, its…

Few people had more of a front-row seat than Brent Metcalfe to the goings-on surrounding Mark Hofmann, the “Salamander Letter,” and the tragic events of October 1985 — what would be dubbed as the “Mormon Murders.” As a personal friend and research assistant for both Steve Christensen and Mark Hofmann, Brent Metcalfe watched the whole episode unfold right before his eyes. In Part 1, Brent talks about his early days in the Church and his time working for Church security. He also talks about his early forays into Mormon studies. In Part 2, Brent describes working for and with Steve…

I received these screen shots today from a supportive listener. To me, it’s a fascinating look into how the LDS Church currently conducts marketing research (to its members) around progressive issues such as its disciplining of high-profile members, and the ordination of women.

In this three-part series we interview Neil Ransom (Kate Kelly’s husband, and Ph.D. candidate in anthropology) and we speak with Kate about her excommunication and the aftermath. Some of the fascinating tidbits we explore: Neil’s early years growing up in Africa How Neil’s mission, along with his attending BYU-Idaho, actually turned him into a progressive Mormon How Kate and Neil met (their love story), and what Neil loves most about Kate What Neil is researching for his Ph.D. (hint….it’s super cool) Has Neil experienced a faith crisis? Who “wears the pants” in Kate/Neil’s marriage…also what are the traits of a “real man” according…

In this episode we interview Alex Beam: author of “American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church.” Alex provides an extremely insightful and compelling “outsider’s view” of Joseph Smith’s final years in Nauvoo, along with his murder and legacy.

Christine Jeppsen Clark is a mother of six, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, a Ph.D. graduate student focusing on dementia, and a dear personal friend. She is also the daughter of the late Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen — former LDS General Authority, personal physician and best friend to Elder Boyd K. Packer, and a GA who was directly involved in the excommunication of Avraham Gileadi (one of the September Six). In this multi-part episode with Christine we discuss: What it was like to grow up in the 1950s and 1960s in Salt Lake City as a very orthodox, devout member…

In this series we share four interviews in response to John Dehlin and Kate Kelly being informed about pending disciplinary councils. The interviews include the following: Episode 476: A June 13th, 2014 interview with John Dehlin for Utah Public Radio. Episode 477: A June 16th, 2014 interview with John Dehlin and Kate Kelly for RadioWest. Episode 478: A June 17th, 2014 interview with Ally Isom, Senior Manager of LDS Church Public Affairs. Episode 479: A June 12th, 2014 interview with Jennifer Napier-Pearce of the Salt Lake Tribune.